Device for diverting products sideways from a conveyor

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a device for selectively diverting products sideways from a load-bearing conveying surface of a conveyor that is moving in a direction of transport, comprising a frame, an elongated diverter element having an upstream end, a downstream end and a deflecting surface there between, pivoting means for pivoting the diverter element in a reciprocal fashion about a vertical pivot axis extending on one side of the conveying surface, between a passive position, in which the diverter element extends beside the conveying surface so as to allow products to pass freely on the conveying surface, and an active position, in which the diverter element extends at least partially above the conveying surface for diverting products present on the conveying surface sideways from said conveying surface, and driving means for driving the deflecting surface with respect to a remaining part of the diverter element at least in the active position, wherein the pivoting means are arranged for translating the diverter element as well during the pivoting movement of the diverter element from the passive position to the active position and vice versa.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for selectively divertingproducts sideways from a load-bearing conveying surface of a conveyorthat is moving in a direction of transport.

The device typically includes a frame, an elongated diverter elementhaving an upstream end, a downstream end and a deflecting surfacetherebetween, pivoting means for pivoting the diverter element in areciprocal fashion about a vertical pivot axis extending on one side ofthe conveying surface, between a passive position, in which the diverterelement extends beside the conveying surface so as to allow products topass freely on the conveying surface, and an active position, in whichthe diverter element extends at least partially above the conveyingsurface for diverting products present on the conveying surface sidewaysfrom said conveying surface, and drive means for driving the deflectingsurface with respect to a remaining part of the diverter element atleast in the active position.

2. Discussion of the Background Art

An example of a conveying and diverting device is known from U.S. Pat.No. 4,711,357, which discloses a device for sorting parcels or the like.Said device comprises a roller conveyor, along which a diverter arm ispositioned. The arm extends parallel to the direction of transport alongthe roller conveyor in a passive position. The arm pivots about a pivotshaft near an upstream end of the diverter arm to an active position inwhich the diverter arm extends at an angle of about 45° above the rollerconveyor. The diverter arm diverts parcels sideways from a rollerconveyor onto a roller conveyor that branches off said roller conveyorat an angle of about 45°. The diverter arm is provided with a verticallyoriented, endless belt extending along the length thereof. The belt ispassed over two pulleys near the ends of the diverter arm, and is drivenfor diverting parcels from the conveyor at an accelerated pace. Theparcels are loaded less heavily while being in contact with thedeflecting surface.

Within the framework of endeavors made to realise an even higher rate ofsorting parcels or the like, using a diverter arm fitted with avertically oriented conveyor belt, it is also known to divide thediverter arm into two parts, as it were, which are arranged on twoopposite sides of the conveyor in question. The two parts, in an activeposition, can be pivoted into alignment with each other. Examples ofthis are to be found in International patent applications WO-A2-02/14193and WO-A2-2004/085295. An important drawback of such embodiments istheir constructional complexity, as well as the fact that the pivot axisof one of the two sub-arms is present on the side to which the divertingof parcels takes place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a device as referred toin the introduction, with which it is possible, in spite of the devicebeing of relatively simple construction, to divert products from aconveyor at a high rate and/or to allow a relatively short spacingbetween successive products. In order to accomplish that object, thedevice according to one embodiment of the present invention has apivoting device arranged to translate the diverter element as wellduring the pivoting movement of the diverter element from the passiveposition to the active position and vice versa. One benefit of thisarrangement, in addition to allowing a pivoting movement, is that thediverter element can also make a translating movement along with theproduct to be diverted during its movement from the passive position tothe active position. Thus, the impact of the deflecting surface on theproduct to be diverted is reduced. An additional, perhaps even moreimportant advantage is the fact that the conveyor length required toenable the movement of the diverter element between the passive positionand the active position can be smaller than in a comparable situationaccording to the background art because of the fact that the upstreamend of the diverter element is moved towards and away from the pivotaxis by the pivoting device, thus making it possible to position theproducts to be diverted closer together and/or to operate the conveyorat a higher speed.

The above advantages can be achieved in particular if the pivotingdevice is arranged to move the upstream end towards the pivot axis andaway from the pivot axis during the pivoting movement of the diverterelement from the passive position to the active position and vice versa.Thus the pivoting movement of the diverter element between the passiveposition and the active position can take place in a compact manner,i.e. within a limited conveyor length.

Preferably, the pivoting device includes an actuating arm which engagesthe diverter element between the upstream end and the downstream end.The engagement preferably occurs between the pivot axis and thedownstream end, on the one hand and the frame on the other hand. The useof such an actuating arm enables not only pivoting movement but alsotranslating movement of the diverter arm in a manner which isconstructionally simple. The translating movement does not place a veryhigh mechanical load on the diverter element on account of the movementof the upstream end of the diverter element towards the pivot axis andaway from the pivot axis. The load is especially low in the preferredembodiment that is to be described below.

The pivoting device furthermore preferably includes a guide device toslidably guide the diverter element during the pivoting movement of thediverter element between the passive position and the active position.Such a guide device is capable of guiding the movement of the upstreamend of the diverter element towards and away from the pivot axis in aconstructionally advantageous manner.

The pivot axis preferably takes up a fixed position with respect to theframe, although it is also possible within the framework of the presentinvention for the pivot axis to undergo a spatial movement towards andaway from the upstream end of the diverter element during said pivoting.For constructional reasons it is generally preferable, however, for thepivot axis to take up a fixed position.

According to one non-limiting embodiment, the drive device includes atransmission element that is rotatable about a vertical axis ofrotation, which coincides with the pivot axis. This makes it possible inan advantageous manner for the driving motor to be connected to theframe rather than being fixed to the diverter element.

In particular in combination with the preceding preferred embodiment,the drive device preferably includes a motor that is fixed or connectedto the frame. Thus no mass inertia forces caused by spatial movement ofthe motor will occur during pivoting of the diverter element. Otherwisesuch mass inertia forces might make it necessary to use a strongerconstruction for the device.

Alternatively it is, according to one exemplary embodiment, possible forthe drive device to comprise a motor that is fixed or connected to thediverter element. The advantage of such an embodiment is that atransmission from the stationary construction or the frame to thediverter element for driving the deflecting surface is not required.

In one embodiment, the pivoting device and the drive device include acommon motor for operating the pivoting device and the drive device.Thus a single motor will suffice, which motor effects the pivoting ofthe diverter element as well as the driving of the deflecting surface.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the pivoting means includes atransmission that can be engaged and disengaged. Such a transmissionmakes it possible for the pivoting means and the drive means not to beoperative at the same time, which may be desirable, for example, if thediverter element, once it has reached the active position, must remainin that position for some time before returning to the passive position.For example, a clutch-brake mechanism as known to those skilled in theart may be used advantageously as a transmission that can be engaged anddisengaged.

The deflecting surface is typically made up of a vertically orienteddiverter belt, which is passed over at least two pulleys that arerotatable about vertical axes of rotation.

To prevent products from passing the downstream end of the diverterelement without actually being diverted, in an active position of thediverter element, the deflecting surface preferably extendsperpendicularly to the direction of transport over at least 80% of thewidth of the conveying surface in the active position. In other words,the path taken by the products on the conveying surface is approximately80% obstructed by the diverter element. It will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the eventual minimum percentage depends at leastpartially on the dimensions of the products being handled on the deviceaccording to the invention. The larger the dimensions of the products,the lower the percentage in question may be. It should be realised inthis connection that the lower the percentage of the dimensions of theconveying surface along which the deflecting surface extendsperpendicularly to the direction of transport in the active position,the more limited the conveyor length, seen in the direction oftransport, that will be occupied during the movement of the diverterelement between the passive position and the active position, as aresult of which it will be possible to select an even smaller spacingbetween the products to be diverted and/or to operate the conveyor at ahigher conveying speed.

To be absolutely sure that products, irrespective of their dimensions,will be diverted from the conveying surface in the active position ofthe diverter element, the deflecting surface may extend perpendicularlyto the direction of transport over the full dimensions of the conveyingsurface in the active position. In other words, the deflecting elementobstructs substantially the entire path of the products on thedeflecting element. Of course, the deflecting element may be at variousangles to the path of the product on the conveying device besides aright angle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of thedescription of multiple non-limiting embodiments of a device accordingto the invention, in which reference is made to the following figures:

FIGS. 1 a, 1 b and 1 c are a perspective view, a top plan view and aside view, respectively, of a first embodiment of a device according tothe invention in a passive position thereof;

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c are corresponding views of the first embodimentof the device in an active position thereof;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are two different perspective views of a secondembodiment device according to the invention in a passive positionthereof;

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are corresponding views of the second embodiment ofthe device in an active position thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sliding element as used in the secondembodiment of the device;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the frame of the diverter arm as used inthe second embodiment of the device;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a device accordingto the invention in a passive position thereof;

FIG. 8 is a corresponding view of the third embodiment of the device inan active position thereof;

FIGS. 9, 10 a, 10 b and 10 c are a perspective view, a side view, a topplan view and a rear view, respectively, of a fourth embodiment of adevice according to the invention in a passive position thereof;

FIGS. 11, 12 a, 12 b and 12 c are corresponding views of the fourthembodiment of the device in an active position thereof.

FIGS. 13 a and 13 b are corresponding views of a fifth embodiment of adevice according to the invention that show corresponding passive andactive positions thereof.

FIGS. 14 a and 14 b are an exploded view and a normal view,respectively, of a preferred embodiment of a bearing assembly that canbe used for guiding a diverter arm with respect to a frame of a deviceaccording to one non-limiting embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the device in anactive position thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 a-1 c and FIGS. 2 a-2 c are various views of a selectivediverting device 1 according to a first non-limiting embodiment of theinvention in, respectively, a passive position and an active positionthereof. The diverting device 1 comprises a conveyor 2 (schematicallyshown) having a load-bearing conveying surface 3 formed by the upperside of the upper half of a conveyor belt 5 that is passed over twohorizontal rotatable pulleys (not shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b), whichconveyor belt is driven in the direction of transport 6 by drive means(not shown). The width of the conveyer 2 is its dimension along its axisof rotation. The pulleys are rotatably mounted (about horizontal axes ofrotation 4 a, 4 b) in a fixed frame 7 of the conveyor 2.

A diverting unit 8 is provided on one side of the conveyor 2. Thediverting unit 8 comprises a diverter arm 9, which typically includes anelongated frame 10 that defines an upstream end 11 and a downstream end12 of the diverter arm 9. The diverter arm 9 is furthermore providedwith pulleys 13, 14 at the upstream end 11 and the downstream end 12,respectively. The pulleys are rotatable about vertical axes of rotation15, 16 with respect to the frame 10. An endless vertically orienteddiverter belt 17 is passed over the pulleys 13, 14. Said belt a 17 canbe driven in the driving direction 18 by actuating a drive unit 19comprising an electric motor 20 and a right-angled transmission 21, theoutgoing shaft 22 of which is coupled to the pulley 13. The electricmotor 20 and the right-angled transmission 21 are interconnected via aflanged connection 23, whilst the right-angled transmission 21 isconnected to the frame 10 via a bracket 24. Alternatively, the pulleymay be substituted for a tubular motor, as a result of which theelectric motor 20 and the transmission 21 on the upper side of thediverter arm 9 are no longer needed.

Two guide strips are typically fixed to the frame 10. Said guide stripstypically extend from the pulley 13 in the direction of the pulley 14along approximately half the length of the frame 10. Only the upperguide strip 25 is shown in the figures, whilst another guide strip mayfurthermore be present at the bottom side of the frame 10. The otherguide strip is typically the mirror image of the guide rail 25, seen ina horizontal plane of reflection halfway up the height of the frame 10.The guide strips 25 are typically slidably accommodated (in thelongitudinal direction of the diverter arm 9) in an upper slidingelement 41 comprising guide shoes 26. A corresponding constructioncomprising a lower sliding element and lower guide shoes arranged tomate with the lower guide strip is used at the bottom side. The slidingelement 41, and thus also the diverter arm 9, is pivotable about thepivot axis 27 with respect to the frame 28 of the diverting unit. Theframe 28 itself is in turn fixed to the frame 7 of the conveyor 2. Toenable pivoting movement of the diverter arm 9 about the pivot axis 27,the frame 28 comprises a frame bracket 29 that is fixed to the remainingpart of the frame 28, in which a pivot hub that extends upwards from thesliding element 41, whose central axis coincides with the pivot axis 27,is pivotally accommodated. In a comparable manner, the lower slidingelement is provided with a downwardly extending pivot hub in line withthe pivot hub of the sliding element 41, which is pivotally accommodatedin the frame 28.

An actuating arm 30 is typically provided for pivoting the diverter arm9 about the pivot axis 27 and at the same time moving the diverter arm 9in the longitudinal direction of the diverter arm 9 with respect to theguide shoes 26. Said actuating arm 30 pivotally engages (about thevertical pivot axis 31) the frame 10 with one end whilst being pivotallyconnected (about the vertical pivot axis 32) to the upright 33 of theframe 28 at an opposite end. One end of a connecting rod 35 of acrank-connecting rod mechanism comprising a crank 36 pivotally engages(about the vertical pivot axis 37) a corner point 35 of the actuatingarm 30 located relatively close to the pivot axis 32. The crank 36 isrotated via the transmission 39 when the electric motor 38 is actuatedby control means (not shown). The motor-transmission 38-39 combinationis typically rigidly connected to the frame 38 via the upright 40 of theframe.

The diverting device functions as follows: as soon as the control systemdetects that a product that is to be diverted from the conveyor 2 on theside opposite the diverting unit 8 is approaching the diverting device1, the driving motor 40 is actuated, causing the crank to rotate a halfturn at first. The actuating arm 30 pivots about the pivot axis 32,thereby imposing a pivoting movement about the pivot axis 27 on thediverter arm 9, whilst also the diverter arm 9 with the guide rail 25will slide along guide shoes 26. As a result, the upstream end 11 of thediverter arm 9 will be positioned closer to the pivot axis 27 until thesituation as shown in FIGS. 2 a-2 c is reached, in which the diverterarm 9 extends the entire width of the deflecting surface 5. It isimportant in this connection to note that, in the active position, thedownstream end 12 of the diverter 9 will be present at practically thesame position as in the passive position, seen in the direction oftransport 6.

At approximately the same time the electric motor 20 will be actuated bythe control means, as a result of which the diverter belt 17 is drivenin the direction of movement 18. After the product in question that isto be diverted has come into contact with the diverter belt 17, it willbe discharged in the direction of the downstream end 12 of the diverterbelt 17, assisted by the fact that said belt is driven, to betransferred further, for example by another conveyor that branches offthe conveyor 2. It is emphasized in this regard that the pivoting of thediverter arm 9 about the pivot axis 27 can be synchronized with thearrival of a product to be diverted in such a manner that the contactbetween the product to be diverted and the diverter belt 17 will takeplace during the pivoting movement of the diverter arm 9 from thepassive position that is shown in FIGS. 1 a-1 c to the active positionthat is shown in FIGS. 2 a-2 c. In addition, it is noted that theactuation of the electric motor 20 upon pivoting of the diverter arm 9from the passive position to the active position takes place optionally,and that alternatively it is possible for the electric motor to becontinuously actuated, so that start-stop situations do not occur withthe diverter belt 17.

After the product in question has been discharged from the conveyingsurface 3, the driving motor 40 can rotate the crank 36 a second halfturn further so as to return the diverter arm 9 from the active positionto the passive position. A major advantage of the fact that the productto be diverted already comes into contact with the diverter belt 17 uponpivoting of the diverter arm 9 from the passive position to the activeposition is that, because of the accelerated discharge as a result ofthe operation of the drive in the diverter belt 17, the crank 36 canmake a full turn without having to stop in the interim. On the otherhand it is possible within the framework of the present invention forthe crank 36 to stop temporarily after a half turn by stopping theelectric motor 38 temporarily. This sequence may be desirable, forexample, when a number of successive parcels present on the conveyingsurface 3 are to be diverted by the diverter arm 9.

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b and 4 a, 4 b show a second non-limiting embodiment of thediverting device 101 in the passive position and in the active position,respectively. In the description of the diverting device 101 belowespecially the differences with the diverting device 1 will bediscussed. Parts of the diverting device 101 corresponding to or atleast being comparable to parts of the diverting device 1 will beindicated by the same numerals, augmented by 100. For the sake ofclarity the diverter belt 117 is not shown in FIGS. 3 b and 4 b.

The diverting device 101 is different from the diverting device 1 inparticular as regards the manner in which the diverter belt 117 of thediverter arm 109 is driven. The diverter belt of the diverting device 1is driven by means of the electric motor 20, which is rigidly connectedto the frame 10 of the diverter arm 9, as a result of which the electricmotor 20 and the associated right-angled transmission 21 jointly pivotabout the pivot axis 21 with the remaining part of the diverter arm 9.This arrangement may involve additional mass inertia effects. Thediverting device 101 uses an electric motor 120 and a right-angledtransmission 121 that are fixed to the frame 128 of the diverting unit108 via the frame bracket 129.

For a correct understanding of the operation of the diverting device 101reference should first be made to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 6 shows the frame110 of the diverting arm 109 with the upstream end 111 and thedownstream end 112. On the side remote from the conveyor 102, the frame110 is provided with an upper guide rail 125 a and a lower guide rail125 b, which guide rails extend parallel to each other. The guide rails125 a and 125 b are arranged to mate with the sliding element 141, morespecifically with the guide shoes 126 a and 126 b thereof, whichtypically are mounted on the back of a plate 152 that is curved to aC-shape. Three pulleys 155, 156, 157 are typically rotatably mounted(about their respective central axes) between the parallel, horizontallyoriented legs 153, 154 of the C-shaped plate 152 that faces away fromthe guide shoes 126 a, 126 b. A shaft that is rigidly connected to thepulley 156 typically extends from the middle pulley 156 through a holein the leg 153, which shaft is coupled to or is made up of the outgoingshaft of the right-angled transmission 122 in assembled condition.

The diverter belt 117 which, as will be understood by those skilled inthe art, needs to be tensioned by tensioning means (not shown), ispassed not only over the pulleys 113, 114 of the diverter arm 109, butalso (in zigzag fashion) over the successive pulleys 155, 156, 157, withthe diverter belt 117 extending on the side of the middle pulley 156remote from the conveyor 102. The parts of the diverter belt 117 thatextend between the pulley 113 and the pulley 157 and between the pulley155 and the pulley 114 thus extend parallel to the part of the diverterbelt 117 that extends between the pulley 113 and the pulley 114 on theside that faces towards the conveyor 102. The central axis of the shaft158 also forms the pivot axis 127 about which the diverter arm 109pivots between the passive position as shown in FIGS. 3 a, 3 b and theactive position as shown in FIGS. 4 a, 4 b upon actuation of theelectric motor. An important advantage of the diverting device 101 incomparison with the diverting device 1 is the fact that the electricmotor and the associated right-angled transmission 121 are rigidlyconnected to the frame 128, and consequently need not pivot along withthe diverter arm 109.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a diverting device 201 in a passive position and inan active position, respectively, which diverting device, just like thediverting device 101, shows a great deal of resemblance with thediverting device 1 as described in great detail above, so that adetailed description of the diverting device 201 is not needed and thedescription hereinafter is in particular concentrated on the differenceswith the diverting device 1 and the diverting device 101. Parts of thediverting device 201 that correspond to or at least are comparable toparts of the diverting device 1 will be indicated by the same numerals,augmented by 200, however.

The diverting device 201 is different from the diverting devices 1 and101 as regards the manner in which the diverter belt 217 is driven inthe driving direction 218. To that end the electric motor 220 isprovided, which motor, just like the electric motor 120 of the divertingdevice 101, is typically fixed or attached to the frame 228 of thediverting unit 208. The electric motor 220 typically drives the pulley261 via a right-angled 15 transmission 221 comprising a verticaloutgoing shaft. An endless transmission belt 262 is passed over thepulley 261 and pulley 263. The central axis of the pulley 263 forms thepivot axis 227 for the pivoting movement of the driving arm 209.Partially as a result thereof, the pulleys 261 and 263 as well as thetransmission belt 262 take up a fixed spatial position during thepivoting movement of the driving arm 209.

The diverter arm 209 is provided with a sliding element 241 fitted withguide shoes both at the upper side and at the lower side of the diverterarm 209, of which guide shoes only the upper guide shoes 226 arepartially shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. At the upper side, the sliding element241 is provided with three pulleys 264, 265, 266 that are rotatableabout vertical axes of rotation, of which pulleys the middle pulley 265is aligned with the pulley 263, being capable only of joint rotationtherewith. The sliding element 241 is pivotable about the pivot axis227. The guide shoes 226 of the diverter arm 209 enable movement of theremaining part of the diverter arm 209, more specifically the frame 210thereof, in the longitudinal direction of the diverter arm 209 withrespect to the sliding element 241 on account of the interaction betweenthe guide shoes 226 and an upper guide rail 225 and a lower guide rail(not shown). This movement is quite comparable to the guide rails usedin the diverter arm 9 of the diverting device 1. The diverter arm 209 isfurthermore provided with pulleys 267 and 268 at the upper side thereof.The pulleys are rotatably connected (about vertical axes of rotation) tothe frame 210 of the diverter arm 209. The pulley 268 is rigidlyconnected to the pulley 213. Therefore the pulley 268 and the drivingpulley 213 can only rotate jointly about their common axis. Finally, thediverter arm 209 is provided with a transmission belt 269, which ispassed over the respective pulleys 268, 269, 264, 265 and 266. When theelectric motor 220 is suitably actuated, the diverter belt 217 will bedriven in the driving direction 218 via the transmission belts 262 and269, irrespective of the pivoted position of the diverter arm 209. Saidpivoting of the diverter arm 209 takes place in a manner which issimilar to the manner in which the diverter arms 109 and 9 are used inthe diverting devices 101 and 1, with respect to the actuating arm 230,the connecting rod 235 and the electric motor 238.

FIGS. 9, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c and FIGS. 11, 12 a, 12 b, 12 c show adiverting device 301 according to a fourth non-limiting embodiment of adevice according to the invention in a passive position and an activeposition, respectively. The diverting device 301 shows a great deal ofresemblance with the diverting device 201, and consequently parts of thediverting device 301 that correspond to or at least are comparable toparts of the diverting device 201 will be indicated by the samenumerals, augmented by 100 however. Insofar as certain numerals arelacking in the description of the diverting device 201, parts of thediverting device 301 that correspond to or at least are comparable toparts of the diverting device 1 will be indicated by the same numerals,augmented by 300, however.

The diverter belt 317 is driven by means of pulleys 361, 363, 365, 366(not shown), 368, 367, 364 in a similar manner as in the divertingdevice 202. An electric motor 381 is provided at the bottom side of theframe 328 for driving the pulley 361 and thus the diverter belt 317. Theelectric motor 381 is combined with a transmission 382, which comprisesa vertical outgoing shaft 383 at the upper side, on which a pulley 384is mounted. A transmission belt 386 is passed over said pulley 384,which belt is also passed over a pulley 385 disposed under the frame328, in line with the pulley 361, and which can be jointly rotated withthe pulley 361 via a common shaft. When the electric motor 381 isactuated, this will lead to the diverter belt 317 being driven,therefore.

An actuating arm 330 is provided for pivoting the diverter arm 309. Theactuating arm 330 is rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation 332with respect to the frame 328 and which is rotatably connected (aboutvertical axis of rotation 331) to the frame 310 of the diverter arm 309at an opposite end. A crank-connecting rod mechanism comprising aconnecting rod 335 and a crank 336 is provided for pivoting theactuating arm 330 about the pivot axis 332 and thus pivoting thediverter arm 309 about the pivot axis 327. The pivot axis 327 coincideswith the central axes of the pulleys 365 and 363, in the oppositedirection. During which pivoting the frame 330 at the same time moves inits longitudinal direction with respect to the sliding element 341. Theconnection between the outgoing shaft 383 and the crank 336 is effectedvia the transmission 387. The transmission 387 is of the clutch-braketype, which is known to those skilled in the art. Thus the transmission387 can be engaged and disengaged, as it were, by control means (notshown). In the engaged condition, pivoting of the diverter arm 309 willtake place if the motor 381 is actuated. In the disengaged condition ofthe transmission 387, no pivoting of the diverter arm 309 will takeplace.

It is possible for the electric motor 381 to be actuated continuouslyduring operation, in which case the diverter belt 317 is continuouslydriven, whilst the pivoting movement of the diverter arm 309 can becarried out temporarily by engaging and disengaging the transmission 387when a product present on the conveyor 302 is to be discharged sideways.Alternatively, it is possible for the driving motor 381 to be actuatedonly when the control system delivers a signal to that effect when aproduct is to be diverted at the location of the diverting unit 308, inwhich connection the transmission 387 need not be of a type that can beengaged and disengaged. In the latter case, pivoting of the diverter arm309 and driving of the diverter belt 317 would be inextricablyconnected. An important advantage of the diverting device 301 incomparison with the diverting devices 1, 101, 201 as discussed before isthat a single common electric motor suffices for pivoting the diverterarm 309 as well as driving the diverter belt 317.

FIGS. 13 a and 13 b show a diverting device 500 according to a fifthnon-limiting embodiment of a device according to the invention. FIG. 13a shows the device in a passive position. FIG. 13 b shows the device inan active position. The diverting device 500 shows a great deal ofresemblance with the diverting device 301, and the remainder of thedescription will focus on the differences between the devices.

As shown in FIG. 13 a, the diverting arm 503 is connected to a pivotpoint 502 via a linking member 501. The linking member is connected tothe diverter arm 503 at pivot point 507. A motorized roller 506 suppliesrotary motion to a diverting belt 509 mounted on the diverter arm 503.

As shown in FIG. 13 b, the driving arm 504 pivots around axis 505 todrive the diverter arm 503 into the path of the conveyor 510. Thedriving arm 504 and diverter arm 503 are connected at pivot point 508.While being pushed by driving arm 504, the diverter arm 503 pivots withrespect to linking member 501 via pivot point 507. The linking member501 simultaneously pivots about pivot point 502. Thus, the translationof the diverter arm 503 can be performed without need of a slidingdevice.

FIGS. 14 a and 14 b show a suitable type of bearing assembly 601 as canbe used for guiding the pivoting and translating movement of a diverterarm forming part of a diverting device according to one non-limitingembodiment of the invention with respect to a frame of the divertingdevice in question. The bearing assembly 601 comprises a mounting plate602 and rigidly fixed thereto a hub body 603, which is substantiallycylindrical in shape and which has a U-shaped cross section, seen inside view, with legs 604, 605. A first roller body 606 is rotatablysupported between the legs on a shaft 607 that extends perpendicularlyto the central axis of the hub body 603 and perpendicularly to thelongitudinal direction of the mounting plate 602, with the side of theroller body 606 remote from the mounting plate 603 projecting above thehub body 603. At the location of the legs 604, 605, the hub body 603 hasa diameter that is reduced in comparison with the diameter of the partof the hub body 603 that is located directly adjacent to the mountingplate 602, around which reduced part a roller bearing 608 is fitted,whose outer race 610 is rotatable about the central axis 609, whichextends perpendicularly to the central axis 607 and to the mountingplate 602.

The bearing assembly 601 is very suitable, for example, for use in avariant of the diverting device 1 according to FIGS. 1 a-2 c, which doesnot make use of the upper guide strip 25 combined with the upper slidingelement 41 with guide shoes 26 and the lower guide strip (not shown)combined with the lower of sliding element with guide shoes. A bearingassembly 601 is provided at the upper side and at the bottom side of thediverter arm 9 instead of the sliding element, with the associatedroller bodies 606 being directed towards the diverter arm 9 and thecentral axes 607 thereof being oriented perpendicularly to the diverterarm 9, whilst the mounting plates 602 are attached to the bottom side ofthe upper frame bracket 29 and to the upper side of the mirror-symmetriclower frame bracket (not shown), respectively. The diverter arm 9 isfurthermore provided with U-shaped section members, which are providedat the same position and which have the same length as the guide strips25, between the legs of which the roller bearing 608 extends.

The two roller bearing assemblies 601 thus make it possible in aconstructionally simple manner for the diverter arm 9 to pivot about avertical axis coinciding with the central axes 609 with respect to theframe 29, more specifically with respect to the frame brackets 29thereof, and also to translate with respect to said frame brackets 29,with the diverter arm 9 extending between the roller bodies 606 of therespective roller bearing assemblies 601 and with the roller body 606 ofthe lower bearing assembly 601 also having a supporting function for thediverter arm 9.

According to a further variant it is possible to configure the actuatingarm 30 (or another actuating arm 120, 230 or 330) as a double arm, bynot only providing an actuating arm at the upper side of the diverterarm 9 but also, in mirror-symmetry therewith, at the bottom sidethereof, in which case advantageous use may be made of a coupling rod,which couples the respective actuating arms 30 together at the cornerpoints 34 thereof, which coupling rod is engaged in the center thereofby the connecting rod 35 so as to prevent the diverter arm from beingsubjected to a torsional load.

FIG. 15 shows a sixth preferred embodiment of the diverting device 701in the active position thereof. The diverting device 701 has a diverterarm 702. The diverter arm 702 comprises a frame with a pulley 703 at thefront side and a pulley 704 at the rear side. An endless diverter belt705 is passed over said pulleys 703, 704. To move the diverter arm 702between a passive position and an active position, a bearing assembly(not shown) is provided directly below the pulley 703 to pivot thediverter arm 702 about a vertical pivot axis coinciding with the centralaxis of the pulleys 703. Said bearing assembly is furthermore capable ofreciprocating movement in a guide (not shown) in the directionsindicated by the double arrow 706.

An actuating arm 707 is provided for moving the diverter arm 702 betweenthe passive position and the active position, which actuating arm ispivotally connected (about a vertical pivot axis) at one end to thediverter arm 702 at a fixed (longitudinal) position of the diverter arm702, and at the opposite end it is pivotally connected (about a verticalpivot axis) to the frame 708. An electric motor 709 is provided forpivoting the actuating arm 707 with respect to the frame 708; the mannerof transmission between the electric motor 709 and the actuating arm 707will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of thepreceding preferred embodiments.

The diverting device 701 is different from previously discussedembodiments in particular as regards the manner in which the diverterbelt 705 is driven. Flexible transmission means configured as a firsttransmission belt 710 and a second transmission belt 711 are to that endprovided. At a position above the actuating arm 707, the firsttransmission belt 710 is passed over two pulleys that are coaxial withthe two pivot axes for the actuating arm 707. The pulley 712 of said twopulleys is shown above the diverter arm 702 in FIG. 15. The pulley (notshown) for the first transmission belt 710 is driven by the electricmotor 713. A tensioning roller 714 is provided for keeping the firsttransmission belt 710 at the correct tension, which tensioning rollerpresses against the first transmission belt 710 under a bias withrespect to the actuating arm 707.

The second transmission belt 711 is likewise passed over two pulleys.The pulleys are mounted in bearings with respect to the diverter arm702. The first of the two pulleys is not shown in FIG. 15, it ispositioned under the actuating arm 707, coaxial with the pulley 712, andis rigidly connected thereto via the shaft 715. The other a pulley 716is rigidly connected to the pulley 704, being coaxial therewith. Thesecond transmission belt 711 is kept at the correct tension by way of atensioning element 717, which is biased with respect to the frame of thediverter arm 702 in a similar manner as the tensioning roller 714.

The transmission between the electric motor 713 and the pulley 704 asdescribed above makes it possible to drive the diverter belt 705 in thedirection indicated by the arrow 717. In this way the situation isachieved that the front part of the diverter belt 705, i.e. the partlocated at the front side of the diverter arm 702 where objects to bediverted come into contact with the diverter belt 705, is advantageouslyloaded for tension as a result of the belt being driven via the pulley704. Said driving takes place independently of the position of the arm702 pivoting between the passive position and the active position.

To reduce the impact loads to which the diverter arm 702 is subjected asa result of the contact that occurs between objects to be sorted, whichare being transported in the direction indicated by the arrow 719 on theconveyor 720, a springy support may be advantageously provided directlybehind the diverter belt 705, which support springs inwards the momentan object to be diverted comes into contact with the diverter belt 705.It stands to reason that such a construction can be used not only in thediverting device 701 but also in the previously discussed embodiments ofdiverting devices.

1. A device for selectively discharging products sideways from aload-bearing conveying surface of a conveyor that is configured to movein a direction of transport, comprising: a frame supporting theconveyor; an elongated diverter element including an upstream end, adownstream end, and a deflecting surface between the upstream end andthe downstream end; pivoting means for pivoting the diverter element ina reciprocal fashion about a vertical pivot axis, the vertical pivotaxis being fixed with respect to the frame, the pivoting means forpivoting extending on one side of the conveying surface, between apassive position, in which the diverter element extends beside theconveying surface so as to allow products to pass freely on theconveying surface, and an active position, in which the diverter elementextends at least partially above the conveying surface for dischargingproducts present on the conveying surface sideways, relative to thedirection of transport, from said conveying surface, the pivoting meansincluding guide means for slidably guiding the diverter element duringthe pivoting movement of the diverter element between the passiveposition and the active position, the guide means being pivotable aboutthe vertical pivot axis; and drive means for driving the deflectingsurface with respect to a remaining part of the diverter element atleast in the active position, the pivoting means being arranged fortranslating the diverter element during the pivoting movement of thediverter element from the passive position to the active position andvice versa, and the pivoting means being further arranged for moving theupstream end towards the pivot axis and away from the pivot axis duringthe pivoting movement of the diverter element from the passive positionto the active position and vice versa, wherein the deflecting surface ismade up of a vertically oriented diverter belt, which is passed over atleast two pulleys that are rotatable about vertical axes of rotation,and wherein at least one of the vertical axes is disposed on an upstreamside of the diverting element.
 2. A device according to claim 1, whereinthe pivoting means comprise an actuating arm which engages the diverterelement between the upstream end and the downstream end.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the actuating arm engages the diverterelement between the pivot axis and the downstream end, on the one handand the frame on the other hand.
 4. A device according to claim 1,wherein the drive means comprises a transmission element that isrotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, which coincides with thepivot axis.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the drive meanscomprise a motor that is fixed to the frame.
 6. A device according toclaim 5, wherein said motor is a tubular motor.
 7. A device according toclaim 1, wherein the drive means comprises a motor that is fixed to thediverter element.
 8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the pivotingmeans and the drive means comprise a common motor.
 9. A device accordingto claim 8, wherein the pivoting means comprises a transmission that canbe engaged and disengaged.
 10. A device according to claim 1, whereinthe deflecting surface extends perpendicularly to the direction oftransport over at least 80% of a width of the conveying surface in theactive position, the width being measured in a direction perpendicularto the direction of transport.
 11. A device according to claim 10,wherein the deflecting surface extends perpendicularly to the directionof transport over the entire width of the conveying surface in theactive position.
 12. A device according to claim 1, further comprising arigid linking member connected, via a pivot point, to the divertingmechanism closer to the upstream end of the diverter mechanism than tothe downstream end.
 13. The diverting device according to claim 1,wherein the diverting device is configured to discharge products presenton the conveying surface sideways from said conveying surface across anedge of the conveying surface extending in the direction of transport ofthe conveying surface.
 14. The diverting device according to claim 1,wherein the pivoting means are arranged for translating the diverterelement in a direction parallel to the direction of transport during thepivoting movement of the diverter element.
 15. A method of divertingobjects from a conveying device comprising: moving an object along afirst path with the conveying device moving in a direction of transport;pivoting a diverter member about a pivot axis fixed to a framesupporting the conveying device to at least partially obstruct the firstpath; translating an end of the diverter member in a direction parallelto the direction of transport during at least a portion of the pivoting;and moving the object along a second path using the diverting member soas to discharge the object from the conveying device across an edge ofthe conveying device extending in the direction of transport, whereintranslating comprises moving the diverter member linearly along a pointabout which the diverter member pivots and which is within the divertermember.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the translatingincludes pivoting a first portion of the diverting device about a firstaxis while restricting movement of a second portion of the divertingdevice to pivot about a second axis using a linking member connectedbetween the second portion and the second axis.
 17. The method accordingto claim 15, further comprising supplying rotary diverting motion to thediverting member along the pivot axis.
 18. The method according to claim17, wherein the supplying of rotary diverting motion is performed via atransmission connected between the diverting member and a motor.
 19. Adiverter device configured to selectively divert products from aload-bearing conveying surface comprising: a frame supporting a conveyorincluding the conveying surface, the conveying surface being configuredto move objects in a direction of transport; a diverting memberconfigured to discharge the objects, in a direction transverse to thedirection of transport, from the conveying surface across an edge of theconveying surface extending in a direction parallel to the direction oftransport, the diverting member including, a first axis of rotation, asecond axis of rotation, a belt wrapped around the first and second axesof rotation, a third axis of rotation disposed between the first andsecond axes of rotation, fixed to the frame, and around which thediverting member is configured to pivot while translating; a motorconnected to the frame; a first transmission member connected betweenthe motor and the third axis of rotation; a second transmission memberconnected between the second and third axes of rotation; and a guideconfigured to guide translation of the first axis of rotation along apredetermined linear path parallel to the direction of transport of theobjects.
 20. The diverting device according to claim 19 furthercomprising a second tensioning element disposed between the second andthird axis of rotation and configured to deflect the second transmissionmember.
 21. The diverting device according to claim 19 furthercomprising a first tensioning element disposed between the motor and thethird axis of rotation and configured to deflect the first transmissionmember.